Exploring Maori Art

Curriculum Area and Level

• Curriculum Area: Visual Arts
• Level: Year 1
• Duration: 15 Minutes
• Key Competencies: Thinking, Using language, symbols, and texts, Relating to others

Learning Objectives

• Understand traditional Māori patterns and symbols.
• Create a piece of art inspired by Māori designs.
• Develop fine motor skills through drawing and painting.

Materials Needed

• Visuals of Māori artwork (printouts or digital slides)
• Pencils
• White A3 paper
• Coloured markers or crayons
• Paint and brushes (optional)

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction (3 Minutes)

• Greeting and Settling: “Kia ora, tamariki mā!” Gather students in a circle.
• Objective Overview: Briefly explain that today, we will be looking at some beautiful Māori art and making our own pictures inspired by it. Ensure students understand they will be using shapes, symbols, and patterns seen in Māori art.
• Visual Display: Show images of traditional Māori artwork. Point out and name various patterns and symbols such as koru (spiral), manaia (mythical creatures), and tāniko (geometric patterns).

2. Demonstration (3 Minutes)

• Identify Patterns and Symbols: Quickly identify and describe a few key patterns in the visuals shown:
  • Koru: Represents new life, growth, strength, and peace. It’s based on the silver fern frond as it opens.
  • Manaia: This is often depicted as a bird-headed figure and believed to act as a guardian against evil.
  • Tāniko: Geometric patterns often found on weaving, symbolising ancestry and kinship.
• Show an Example Art Piece: Using an A3 paper, demonstrate how to start by drawing a koru. Point out how to create the swirling lines carefully and add patterns around the main symbol.

3. Activity (8 Minutes)

• Hands-On Art Creation:
  • Distribute paper, pencils, and coloured markers to each student.
  • Encourage students to choose one of the symbols shown and draw it in the center of their paper.
  • Suggest integrating additional Māori patterns around their primary symbol.
  • Walk around the class, assist and encourage creativity. Compliment efforts to incorporate the discussed patterns.

4. Sharing and Reflection (1 Minute)

• Group Reflection: Gather students to show their drawings. Quickly go around the group letting each student say what they drew and why.
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate their artwork, emphasizing the use of Māori patterns and how well they’ve incorporated them.

Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observe students’ engagement during the activity and their ability to draw and incorporate Māori symbols.
• Reflection: Brief sharing session at the end where students explain their work.

Extension

• If time allows or in a subsequent lesson:
  • Let students add colour with paint and brushes.
  • Incorporate a story-telling element where they create a simple narrative based on their artwork.

Conclusion

• Praise Efforts: Congratulate students on their creativity and understanding of Māori art.
• Clean-Up: Guide students to put away materials and clean their space.

This lesson plan seamlessly integrates Māori cultural elements into the Visual Arts curriculum for Year 1 students, making the learning experience rich and engaging while fostering cultural awareness and artistic skills.